3/02/2013

The Resurgence Of Midwest Hiphop

By Brooke Nash


Music has always presented a diversity that is unparalleled in terms of uniting people of different beliefs. Cultures have embraced a variety of genres that have come and go, only to resurrect again to infiltrate the consciousness of the present day generation. A good example is the current clamor for midwest hip hop that has toppled the dominance of the east and west.

Hiphop existed in the 70s and had its fair share of recognition as years went on to accommodate more sub types. Detroit, in particular is known for its underground scene that had a legitimate vibrancy in it back in the 90s. Normally, you would see teens ready to challenge each other in rap battles that crowned the winner with bragging rights.

For some, there is always an air of arrogance that seem to emanate from this type of music. It has resulted into the formation of misconceptions that still exist. The key word is intrigue, just like that of the debates as to the separation of rap and hiphop in definition.

For those in the scene long enough to have felt the difference, they are separated in definition but still coexisting. The former is recognized as a style of music that follows a certain poetic flow. Meanwhile, the latter encompasses the entire culture that rap belongs to. This includes the sense of fashion and the affinity towards a form of expression called graffiti.

It is something that you would want to live and thrive in you rather than just a mere play on words and profanity. What makes rap identifiable is the rhythmic inclusions of lyrics compared to the other which can go full on instrumental. Moreover, it defines a generation of music geniuses that contributed to the modern scene by way of doing mixes from different recordings.

With the introduction of the midwest type, some have realized that there is more to it than self gratification. The listening public has seen a change in approach, one that is now socially relevant. Substance has been added, thus allowing the audience to grasp something intellectual and meaningful out of the songs.

What is prevalent is the appreciation for relevant meanings embedded in each song, as if acting as an agent for change. While some songs back in the days were motivated by the surge of patriotism and defiance, now people can say that the midwest type is functioning the same way. Gone are the days of close mindedness, because people would like to think that musicians now know better.

The resurgence of midwest hip hop may be perfectly timed with the revival of old sub genres that are now making it into mainstream consciousness. However, what differentiates the present is the substance that is honed by the dominance of awareness on social change and the want to speak out to generations through a creative medium. Put simply, it is glorifying the essence of self expression in a meaningful form.




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